The city council has again pushed for 4,000 homes to be built at the 500-acre site, on Green Belt land, in a public consultation held by SODC.

But Mr Thompson said it was part of a bigger trend which has also seen the council use formerly protected areas for development as part of the Northern Gateway business park. He said: “We are concerned about this piecemeal review of the Green Belt near Oxford.

“We should be trying to design the greater city of 50 years time and there is a crying need for a properly co-ordinated plan that covers the whole of the city region.

“That should be agreed by all the councils, as well as which parts of the Green Belt should be preserved, so that we can ensure Oxford is still a great place to live for future generations.”

The city council has long made no secret of its ambitions to build on the land south of the city.

But because it falls within South Oxfordshire, the city council’s hopes of extending Oxford have been continually thwarted by its neighbouring council.

But this week the authority again intensified pressure on South Oxfordshire District Council, by submitting a case for building at least 4,000 new homes close to Oxford, as a preferable option to others being considered, such as creating a new large town.

The move comes at a sensitive time, with SODC facing unprecedented demand to build.

In March the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, commissioned by all the councils, said 100,000 more homes were needed in the county by 2031 – 15,500 of them in South Oxfordshire.

It is currently in the process of consulting on proposals for a Local Plan, which will set out what areas will be developed, which must be approved by a Government planning inspector.

David Edwards, city council executive director for regeneration warned SODC and other councils against producing Local Plans which failed to address Oxford’s housing needs.

Mr Edwards said: “At Grenoble Road the road junctions are already there and they are looking to have a railway station at Cowley in 10 years.

“As one of the landowners we can make this happen. We did it at Barton Park. We have a good record of bringing sites forward for development.”

Angie Paterson, Cabinet Member for Planning at SODC, said: “We received several thousand responses to our Local Plan consultation. We are now analysing this feedback before moving on to the next stage.”

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Comments

Andrew:Oxford
6:59am Fri 8 Aug 14

A unitary authority for Oxfordshire or even the Thames Valley would help put an end to much of this nonsense.

With the introduction of the E-W link and the ever expanding scope for work travel it's time to stop thinking small. A larger "Thames Valley Council" would bring scope for a large and effective PTE (passenger transport executive) focussed on regional and non-London travel.

A unitary authority for Oxfordshire or even the Thames Valley would help put an end to much of this nonsense.
With the introduction of the E-W link and the ever expanding scope for work travel it's time to stop thinking small. A larger "Thames Valley Council" would bring scope for a large and effective PTE (passenger transport executive) focussed on regional and non-London travel.Andrew:Oxford

A unitary authority for Oxfordshire or even the Thames Valley would help put an end to much of this nonsense.

With the introduction of the E-W link and the ever expanding scope for work travel it's time to stop thinking small. A larger "Thames Valley Council" would bring scope for a large and effective PTE (passenger transport executive) focussed on regional and non-London travel.

Score: -2

Richard of Wantage
4:01pm Fri 8 Aug 14

It's an Oxford City problem not SODC. Oxford City council should take on responsibility of finding suitable sites within its own boundaries instead of dumping on everyone else. What about a swap, if SODC takes 4,000 new home allocations from Oxford City then Oxford City needs to find space for 4,000 new homes from SODC within its own boundaries. Seems fair.

It's an Oxford City problem not SODC. Oxford City council should take on responsibility of finding suitable sites within its own boundaries instead of dumping on everyone else. What about a swap, if SODC takes 4,000 new home allocations from Oxford City then Oxford City needs to find space for 4,000 new homes from SODC within its own boundaries. Seems fair.Richard of Wantage

It's an Oxford City problem not SODC. Oxford City council should take on responsibility of finding suitable sites within its own boundaries instead of dumping on everyone else. What about a swap, if SODC takes 4,000 new home allocations from Oxford City then Oxford City needs to find space for 4,000 new homes from SODC within its own boundaries. Seems fair.

Score: 2

Myron Blatz
6:40pm Fri 8 Aug 14

For once I tend to agree with Andrew:Oxford, because this continued power-play by Bob Price's 'pitates' is getting beyond a joke. Oxford wants the revenue income and qudos from dominating as 'arrogant city council' whilst only being on the same level as other 'lesser' district councils. Still, what do you expect from a City with 'international class public toilets' which props-up Westgate Centre with Primark and Poundland?

For once I tend to agree with Andrew:Oxford, because this continued power-play by Bob Price's 'pitates' is getting beyond a joke. Oxford wants the revenue income and qudos from dominating as 'arrogant city council' whilst only being on the same level as other 'lesser' district councils. Still, what do you expect from a City with 'international class public toilets' which props-up Westgate Centre with Primark and Poundland?Myron Blatz

For once I tend to agree with Andrew:Oxford, because this continued power-play by Bob Price's 'pitates' is getting beyond a joke. Oxford wants the revenue income and qudos from dominating as 'arrogant city council' whilst only being on the same level as other 'lesser' district councils. Still, what do you expect from a City with 'international class public toilets' which props-up Westgate Centre with Primark and Poundland?

Score: 1

Patrick, Devon
10:17pm Fri 8 Aug 14

The District boundaries have been an anachronism since they were established in 1974, as has 2-tier local govt. Unitary authorities covering travel to work areas are what is needed to enable common purpose and coordination. Having a unitary for the whole of Oxon would be the cheapest way to set it up, but not the right way. What has Banbury got in common with Henley? The Banbury area should merge with S Northants and Henley with a Berkshire council, the rest of Oxon would be a viable unitary.

The District boundaries have been an anachronism since they were established in 1974, as has 2-tier local govt. Unitary authorities covering travel to work areas are what is needed to enable common purpose and coordination. Having a unitary for the whole of Oxon would be the cheapest way to set it up, but not the right way. What has Banbury got in common with Henley? The Banbury area should merge with S Northants and Henley with a Berkshire council, the rest of Oxon would be a viable unitary.Patrick, Devon

The District boundaries have been an anachronism since they were established in 1974, as has 2-tier local govt. Unitary authorities covering travel to work areas are what is needed to enable common purpose and coordination. Having a unitary for the whole of Oxon would be the cheapest way to set it up, but not the right way. What has Banbury got in common with Henley? The Banbury area should merge with S Northants and Henley with a Berkshire council, the rest of Oxon would be a viable unitary.

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